thought / wish
N2- Onyomi
- ネン
- Stroke count
- 8
- JLPT
- N2
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 念 down and you get 心 (heart / feeling) — a heart, the seat of how you feel. Picture a heart-shaped lantern glowing on its string, put 念 inside it, and let that scene stand for "thought" — thought / wish. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 8
General writing tips
These general rules have exceptions. Follow the animation and numbered frames for this character.
- •上から下へ書きます。Write from top to bottom.
- •左から右へ書きます。Write from left to right.
- •横の画を先に、縦の画を後に書きます。Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
- •外側の囲みを先に書き、中を後で書きます。Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
- •中央を先に、左右を後に書きます。In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
- •この漢字は8画です。下の練習エリアで順番に書いてみましょう。This kanji has 8 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.
Step by step
Practice Writing
Free writing practice — compare your writing with the example. This canvas does not check your shape or stroke order. Draw with a mouse, finger, or pen; scroll outside the square to move down the page.
Trace the faded character, or hide the outline to practise from memory.
Writing Tips
- Follow the order strictly: top-to-bottom and left-to-right. Correct order makes the shape balanced and natural.
- Keep each stroke in one smooth motion — don't lift the pen in the middle of a stroke.
- Close enclosing strokes cleanly so the character does not look open or broken.
- Common mistake: drawing strokes bottom-to-top or right-to-left. Even if the result looks similar, the wrong order shows in handwriting and makes it harder to read.
Example words
専念
sennen
devotion
残念
zannen
regrettable
残念な
zannenna
attributive: regrettable (before a noun)
残念です
zannendesu
polite: is regrettable
専念する
sennensuru
to do devotion
専念した
sennenshita
plain past: did devotion
Example sentences (4)
試合に負けて残念です。
しあい に まけて ざんねん です。
shiai ni makete zannen desu.
It is disappointing that we lost the match.
残念ですが、今日は参加できません。
ざんねん です が、きょう は さんか できません。
zannen desu ga, kyou wa sanka dekimasen.
Unfortunately, I cannot join today.
残念ですが、内定を辞退しました。
ざんねん です が、ないてい を じたい しました。
zannen desu ga, naitei o jitai shimashita.
Unfortunately, I declined the job offer.
創立記念日には、社員全員が集まります。
そうりつ きねんび に は、しゃいん ぜんいん が あつまります。
souritsu kinenbi ni wa, shain zen'in ga atsumarimasu.
On the anniversary of the founding, all the employees gather.